Bourke (2004:13–14, 20) describes a destruction layer dated to ca. 800 BCE (Iron IIb) at the Temple Complex in Area XXII at Tabaqat Fahl (Pella) and across the surrounding area. He notes that "the remodelled Iron Age II temple precinct at Pella was in use for perhaps 150 years (ca 950–800 BC) before the temple and the entire settlement was destroyed in an extensive conflagration (Bourke et al. 2003)." While Bourke observes that "earthquake activity has been suggested as the likely cause for similarly dated destruction horizons at Deir ’Alla (Franken 1992)," he also notes that "the same horizon of destruction at nearby Tell Hammeh (Cahill et al. 1987) and Tel Rehov (Mazar 1999) has been attributed to the military activities of either Egyptian invaders (or just possibly) Aramaean invaders ." At Pella, he concludes that "while earthquake destruction is still considered the most probable cause, significant militaria (specifically iron arrowheads and scale armour) are consistently associated with this destruction horizon." Bourke emphasizes that "whatever the ultimate cause, this destruction proved to be catastrophic to the long-term well- being of the city of Pella, as settlement ceased across the site for the next 500 years, only reviving with the Seleucid occupation of the region after 200 BC (Bourke 1997)."

Bourke (2004:13–14, 20) also discusses the physical character of the destruction layer and the difficulties involved in its interpretation. He reports that "thick deposits of ash and brick debris sealed the temple proper and most nearby areas." However, he notes that "interpretation of the final Iron II destruction horizons is complicated by the large and intrusive Late Antique (ca 550 AD) foundation trenches that cut through much of the area, largely frustrating attempts to study the spatial patterning of objects found in situ below destruction horizons." Although "the Iron II temple proper suffered quite severely from later constructional activity," Bourke points out that "the area of the eastern courtyard surrounding the central altar was largely undisturbed, and it was here that many cult objects were identified."